Chapter 49
"That boy is clever." While walking down the corridors of the ES-1 building, Desmond thought back to his earlier conversation with Michelle about the match just a while ago.
"What is so clever about this? He didn't even honor his opponent properly." Of course, Michelle wasn't happy with what Adrian had done.
"Yet you were the one who said that honor can't be regarded in the case of these duels." Desmond used Michelle's own words against her.
Michelle had no comeback to that so she remained quiet.
'So even she didn't notice.' Desmond thought inwardly and left. While everyone was focused on what Adrian had done, Desmond was probably the only one who had seen how he had done it.
'Those nimble and fast steps that fooled even my perception for a moment.' Desmond wasn't shocked that Adrian evaded his perception for a second, what shocked him was that second was all Adrian needed to act.
'We have a monster amongst ourselves.'
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Library. A place of infinite treasures. A place where you can never be bored. Where there is knowledge of every kind.
I remember my first visit to the NYPL. I was so excited that I spent an entire month in there soaking every kind of knowledge.
[Every kind?]
I like to read.
"Begin from over there. Choose history and extinct races for your first choice." I instructed my trusty maid. Although Rose wanted to train physically, the next test would be in three months, and with her rank, she could easily clear it.
The problem would arise when she doesn't know how to clear it. This study would help her do that.
[Why not bring Laura too?]
'She doesn't have enough patience to go through with this so I will just tell her how to.' Laura was a special case.
[Special?]
[Or are you just a sucker for her]
I won't accept nor deny your claims.
"Is this really necessary, Your Highness?" Rose, who has never questioned my orders, asked for the first time. It seems studying isn't her cup of tea either.
Too bad, I have no mercy in this regard.
"Yes. Get to it." Pointing her to a particular section, I also began to study books from one corner.
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Most of the books here are regarding magic or aura, none of which are useful for me but it doesn't hurt giving them a read.
There were a few interesting books regarding plants of various types and their effects. Same with many monster carcasses and their organs.
The library was very big so it took me an entire week to read through all of it. Even though the special section wasn't very interesting, there were still some books worth giving attention to.
All in all, I wouldn't say I wasted my time which was more than what I could say for my friend here with me.
Rose's appearance was haggard quite a bit even though she was getting enough sleep.
Our routine was simple. Once the compulsory classes would end for the day, we would head straight to the library.
No additional courses were necessary for us. I mean I didn't need any and Rose wasn't very concerned with her rank so she didn't care for additional courses.
All she wanted was to grow stronger but there was time for that. What she needed right now was to learn patience and that comes from reading books.
A clear mind, sound decision making, perception increase to your surroundings and many more are the advantages of reading.
So despite her haggard appearance, with her talent, I knew Rose would push through and get her task done.
"What do you think of this?" A gentle voice asked me. I should also mention her too, right?
During our time here, Alicia also started to come here and started reading. Her focus was mainly on healing techniques to enhance her own healing abilities.
Along the way somewhere, we started debating on different topics that started from healing methods but slowly deviated into a variety of subjects.
Like one right now, "I wouldn't say it is wrong per se, but darkness element does hold the strongest attack power so it is quite optimal for eliminating dead cells."
"Cells?" She asked. She would often get confused at my terms sometimes but I was used to speaking like this so it was very hard for me.
"Threads of flesh. Think of it like this, if we heal a rotten part, although it is cleaned, there is a chance it might come back but, eliminating that rotten flesh is the easiest option and then, it could be replaced with new flesh."
Although this theory would be difficult to pull for modern doctors, this was a world of magic. There were blessings and spells that granted such options such as regenerating flesh, limbs, and bones.
"And to eliminate that rotten flesh, the element of darkness is most optimal?" She asked, understanding my point.
"Exactly," I replied. We continued to talk on many different subjects and our day ended with that. Tomorrow was the weekend so there were no classes for the next two days, I decided to let Rose have two days to herself.
Besides, there is something I have been putting off for quite a while and I need to attend that as well.
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Every city has a dark side of it. Even the city of lights couldn't escape the dangerous shadows of night.
So when it comes to the biggest city on this planet where humanity comes together, there is also a side of this city that isn't very pleasant to visit.
The red light district. A very unpleasant place to be but also very necessary for this city. Why? The reason is simple. The largest number of students are nobles and royals and those who aren't, lose themselves in pleasure when they get a whiff of it.
So of course it would be the greatest business venue. The nightlife of this district is filled with students. But it wouldn't make sense if it would be just a business venue now, would it?
It isn't. It is also the den of the five biggest gangs in Bellator City or maybe the entire world. Each with a strength of at least an S rank leading them.
The crown prince of the Cortum empire is S-rank so it is very easy to understand the influence of these gangs.
But the plot thickens when the powers behind these gangs are revealed. But that is for another time.
Now, why am I here? The reason is simple. Like every cliché side character novel, there are also a few opportunities for the MC in this district.
Like a broker, a lady boss, hidden treasures, and so on. But unlike all others, I'm not interested in them. Although what I am looking for is an artifact, it isn't an artifact of the main cast but of an antagonist with dark mana.
Laura. It was mentioned that in the second half of the first year, Laura accidentally found a weapon here that made her sort of a menace.
I intended to find it earlier and give it to her so she could do well in this test and raise her rank high enough to transition to the first section.
The problem is that that weapon currently belongs to the boss of one of the gangs. But I'm sure, what I will be offering him, he will surely give it to me easily. Well if he doesn't, then I would have to deal with the other way, but in the future of course.
And there it is. The Wild Turtle. It's an odd name for a gang. Maybe it stems from their defense. Anyway, I have no idea how to enter this place and I doubt those unfriendly looking guards slash goons would welcome me with open arms.
"Hello." I greeted one of the goons standing guard outside.
They exchanged stares before one of them rudely replied, "If you want a wh*re, this isn't the place."
[He doesn't respect women at all]
[Rip his mouth off]
'Give me all of my strength and I will wipe this whole place from the face of this earth.'
[Do it in the future]
Heh!
"I'm not here to see a woman. I want to meet Big Poppa. Tell him I have a very exquisite product for him." I simply replied with a smile.
I didn't want to use my identity here unless necessary which might be because I doubt the mob boss would be so cooperating otherwise.
The goons started laughing boisterously at my reply for a while before one of them said, "Get lost before I snap your neck."
'I'll snap your neck soon.'
"You will regret it," I replied with a smile again.
At my reply, their smiles faded and serious expressions returned to their faces. "I don't think he understands, Tank. Why don't you teach him a lesson?"
The rude goon from before said to the other one. The other one, also known as Tank, moved towards me menacingly.
I prepared myself as well but before I could ru- I mean fight back, a voice stopped the guards. "Hahaha, is it true that I hear you have something for me, Your Highness?"
A giant man with a scar on his face extending from his eye all the way down to his lips came into my view.
The boss of the Wild Turtles, Big Poppa. A face that would give any child a scare even if he was trying to be nice.
"Yes, I do." It seems he isn't unfamiliar with my appearance change.
"Well, it isn't every day I get an imperial prince for business, but please, come in." He spoke immediately and moved aside to welcome me in.
I followed him in and the first thing that assaulted my nose was the smell of debauchery in this place. I have to say, I'm not much of a fan of these places even though I have seen them countless times.
"This way." He directed while leading me further inside. As we went deeper, the smell of fornication thickened. I can't believe a girl like Laura came to this place. She would definitely despise a place like this even if she came with guards.
We traveled for a while and went up two floors and finally, I was led inside a room where a number of people were already present.
Each of them reeked of stink and many other kinds of drugs, not to mention that some were already engaged in indecent acts with women while some were trying to get engaged.
"You're awfully calm about this view. But then again, you must be most familiar with places like these." He spoke after sitting down and observing me.
But, what does he mean by that? I will have to investigate that later. Whether the predecessor of this body used to go to places like this wasn't much of a problem but if he had left some evidence that could be used against me by my enemies, I would be the one to face headaches.
"Are you sure you want to conduct business before all these people?" I asked while sitting down on an empty couch. Although it made my skin crawl, I had to be cooperative right now.
"These are my trusted aides. You have nothing to worry about." He spoke solemnly, his expression very serious as if he would put his life on the line.
"Very well," I replied and pulled ten vials out of my inventory.
Mana recovery potions. Of course, they weren't bought from the shop but I made them using the elven transcripts from the library of Sanctus.
It was a blue liquid like clear blue sea water. He was intrigued by the appearance so he asked, "What would these be?" He picked one up while asking.
"These are a kind of treasure that can recover your mana." I simply replied but he froze. Not just him, everyone in the room froze, even those who were busy at the moment.
[It's ready]
Before any of them spoke, Allison gave me another piece of good news.
'Good. Activate them.'
[Are you sure?]
[It would be mass murder]
'It would be if I use them. Otherwise, it's just an insurance.' I replied while looking at the boss of the Wild Turtles and his goons.